Willems, Tom (2023). Imaging Inaccessible Memories: The potential of ultra-high field MRI for research into memory and pathological forgetting. (Thesis). Universität Bern, Bern
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Abstract
Amnesia is a debilitating disease that isolates patients as they live in a constant now without a future and a past. In addition, memory pathologies are often symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, which are becoming more prevalent in aging western societies. Recent research in rodents suggests that memory formation remains possible despite amnesia. Advances in imaging techniques, namely ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-MRI) scanners that possess a field strength of 7 Tesla and above, make it possible to image smaller brain structures that are essential for memory functions. The goal of this dissertation was two-fold. First, we assessed the potential of UHF-MRI scanners to image human memory functions. Secondly, we established evidence for memory traces of forgotten memories in humans. With the help of UHF-MRI imaging, we found that memory traces of forgotten memories can stay present in the human brain and guide behavior unconsciously. Therefore, UHF-MRI scanners can advance human memory research fundamentally. These results extend our knowledge about human memory functions and pave the way for future work on pathological forgetting.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Dissertation Type: | Cumulative |
| Date of Defense: | 15 December 2023 |
| Subjects: | 100 Philosophy > 150 Psychology 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
| Institute / Center: | 07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology |
| Depositing User: | Hammer Igor |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Jan 2026 17:32 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Jan 2026 23:25 |
| URI: | https://boristheses.unibe.ch/id/eprint/7030 |
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